Wayne Wright is the founder of one of the largest personal injury law firms in Texas with offices in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Austin and Houston. Mr. Wright is well-known as a philanthropist whose dedication to the community includes a focus on the needs of military service members.

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Greater love hath no man

As far as I am concerned, 34-year old Army Sgt. Joshua Michael should get another Purple Heart. News accounts say he already had two when he died pushing his wife to safety as a train hurtled toward them at 62 miles an hour in a Midland, Texas parade honoring veterans. He was killed protecting her last Thursday.

The two were on a float full of decorated veterans, riding with their spouses, who were being honored for their heroism. From what I’ve read, it wasn’t unusual for Sgt. Michael to man up under fire. He was a paramedic in Amarillo, Texas who volunteered immediately when he heard about the terrorist attacks on 9-11.

He suffered three traumatic brain injuries as a medic in Iraq in 2005 and 2006, forcing his retirement from the military. He was treated at Fort Sam Houston. Military rules and protocol prevented its staff from talking to us about Sgt. Michael but we were told that he had many friends at the Warrior and Family Support Center where he is remembered with fondness.

Sgt. Michael and his wife Daylyn had been married for 15 years when he was killed. They had two children, a seven year old daughter and a 14-year old son.

There are a lot of questions about the parade, its route, the timing of warning signals at the intersection where the train hit the float as it was crossing the tracks. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating all aspects of the accident that killed four veterans and injured 16 people.

But there is one question the NTSB can’t answer.

What goes through the mind of a person who deliberately sacrifices himself to protect another? From all accounts, Sgt. Michael had mere seconds to save his wife’s life. Warning signals that a train was coming began to sound just 20 seconds before impact as the crossbars were descending. A building may have blocked his line of sight until then. The sounds of the parade and the sirens accompanying it may have prevented him from hearing the train until then.

Was it a reflex? Did Sgt. Michael push his wife out of the way without thinking? Or, did he understand the deadly consequences he faced.

Religion says that man has no greater love than when he lays down his life for another. Science says that perhaps it’s because we are self-aware beings who instinctively know that if we help others, they will help us. That would make his action a reflex.

But I believe that Sgt. Michael knew the danger he was facing. He was a trained soldier, a medic and he loved his wife. He knew exactly what he was doing. We all mourn his death and grieve for his family.